June, 1999, a time where everyone
began to heat up with huge potential digital imaging may offer to the photo community,
Nikon unleashed a new innovative lense type - a hybrid between Perspective Control
(PC) and Micro-Nikkor. Very few people took notice of this launch as this is quite
a specialized kind of a new breed and product information was quite scarce other
than those conventional press releases via respective Nikon official sites and some
localized promotions what can this new lense can offer photographers in exploring
new grounds in photography.

"... This Nikon PC 85mm f2.8 D lens is optically
and cosmetically. Virtually like new! Optics front rear and internal are perfect!
This lens has the Nikon PC system, (perspective control with reproduction directly
to 1:2 ) where it can make adjustments (tilt / shift) to influence depth of field
and selective focus precisely -- great for table top product shooting, and nature
etc. This lens is a fantastic, unique lens. It has the smallest aperture of any current
Nikkor at f45!! Talk about depth of field!!! It is compatible and sharp on both your
Nikon AF film SLR as well as the latest Nikon DSLRs,
so your investment is safe either way! It comes with both front and rear dust caps,
hard case and its Instruction manual ... " - Jeff from Photo Creative@EBAY-

From its exterior, it has a strong resemblance
of the Hasselblad's short-lived Flex-Body / Arc-series cameras (1996/7).
This unique Nikkor lense combines three major designing concept: - A Medium Telephoto
with TILT/Shift Control and a Revolving capability. It permits shifting the lense
parallel to the film plane as well as tilting the lens axis (shift: ±12,4
mm, tilt: ±8.3mm') in elimination perspective distortion and extension of
focus for depth of field control. It is something that is exclusively found only
on large format cameras with adjustable front lense plates. But the PC-Micro can
actually performs TILT / SHIFT as well as REVOLVING (±90°).

Due to its extremely complex optical
movement, and thus it is not designed as an AF-Nikkor lens-type but it does has a
CPU embodied within and you can use the lense as a normal lense for metering prior
to use some automatic exposure control. However, once the lense is being shift or
tilt, data communication will be disengaged and thus, you ought to perform metering
prior to adjust for shift or tilt control. The cameras exposure metering and flash
control system do not work properly when shifting and/or tilting the lense, or when
using an aperture other than the maximum aperture. Shifting and/or tilting the lens
to a large degree can cause some vignetting.

A telephoto native of PC Micro is less distorted from
a distance, where you can set up with other artificuial light source with its extended
working distance. Interim photo ONLY. Looking for contributing images to substitute this.

Note: This lens cannot be used with the
Nikon PRONEAS series cameras. For older Nikon SLRs, you can use the conventional
method to adjust apertures, but for the newer Nikon SLRs that employ with command
dial(s), you have to adjust apertures via the preset aperture ring. For camera such
as Nikon F5,
F100 (or later models such as the Nikon F6 etc.), since autofocusing is not available,
you can still use the electronic rangefinder to help determine left/right directions
for precise focusing.

So, it performs and sound like more like
an improved PC-Nikkor but why calling it a Micro lense then ? Simple, unlike the
PC-Nikkor, this PC-Micro can focus all the way from infinity to an impressive reproduction ratio of half-life-size
(1:2) at its closest focusing distance of 039m. Further, with its angle of view at 28' 30' , close-up pictures yields
a more natural perspective than lense of shorter focal length. Yes. As long as you can live with some slight
inconveniences (such as difficult o setup, lack of AF, stop down AE when shift/tilt
), overall, this lense is quite a versatile lense. It allows you to control certain
levels in perspective in a picture, also brought a new dimension in microphotography
as depth of field can be manipulated by extending or limiting slightly in particular
for studio product shooting. So, a wide scope of photographic applications such as
architecture, photomicrography, forensic, landscape, flora, scenic, flat field copying
or even for portraiture as well as anything to do with a typical medium telephoto
lense can offer. Sounds great huh ?

Weighing at 775g, the all-metal
structure of this lense projects a very robust, high quality feel. It uses a rather
complex optical arrangement of a massive 12 elements in 9 groups, the lense has a
filter attachment size at n odd 77mm diameter. You may find it hard to get some original
Nikon accessories such as filter for this lense. Even if it has, they are quite expensive.
One of the key highlight is its extreme aperture of f/45 - the smallest working f-stop
you can find in the entire Nikkor lense family
where it is designed for truly full-extended depth of field control. The main issue
is the operation of this lense as it has quite a few combinations in shift, tilt
and revolving mechanism and may take a seasoned PC-Nikkor owner to handle it more
easily in the setup process during shooting.

As the lense comes with a retail
price at approx. USD1,200-00 (B&H Photo's suggested prices after rebate 03.2005),
it is not entirely a cheap Nikkor, but it has extended a new ground of possibilities
for Nikon photographers to explore
in this segment where previously, one has to settled for the static use of all the
available perspective control lenses in the Nikkor lense group.

Important
Notes: When using
a camera body with an interchangeable focusing screen feature, Nikon recommends that
the use an optional E-type focusing screen with grids type. (E-type focusing screen
cannot be used with the Nikon Professional Digital SLR D1-series models.) This lense
cannot be attached to the Nikon F5 with DA-30 AE Action Finder attached, F2 Photomic, or Nikon F3AF camera body since they interfere with the
lense. This lense cannot be used with the AF PRONEA S, MF Nikon EM camera since both models do not have M (manual)
exposure mode.

Below are some of the basic operational
sequence in setting up the lense for each of its major functions:
Credit: Mr. Moses Goddard® <Mbigoddard@aol.com>
who took all the trouble to mail me these content. As I am not entirely familiar
at this lense-type, if you have one of these (or good at it), do supply me some INSPIRING
captured images and/or HIGH
QUALITY images of the lense to beef up the
content in this site (please use either the Nikkor's |Message Board| OR |
Nikon F5's Message
Board| for initial contact as I check
it almost daily.

TheShift Function (±12,4mm')
In this operation, the Ions is shifted horizontally (or vertically, when the Ions
is revolved) parallel to the film plane. By shifting, you can recompose the frame
of the shot without moving the camera. This lets you correct the perspective distortion
of the subject or exclude unwanted objects from appearing in front of the main subject.
Sea pages 72 to 76 for example photographs using the shift function.

1. Place the camera on a tripod
and unlock the shift by turning the shift lock-release knob. 2. While looking through
the viewfinder, shift the Ions by turning the shift knob. 3. After the lens is shifted
the cleared amount. lack the shift by turning the shift lock-release knob.

Note: When the lens is shifted
significantly, the periphery of the viewfinder image can sometimes become dim. To
counteract this, close the aperture (choose a larger f-number) before shooting. When
Shifting the lens, be Careful not to pinch your fingers between the lens and the
grip of the camera body. Shifting and/or tilting the lens to d large degree can cause
same vignetting but within approximately 1m (3.3 ft.) of the subject, in this case,
no vignetting occurs.

TheTilt
Function(tilt: ±8.3mm') In this operation, the Ions is tilted up and
down (or right and left, when the lens is revolved) to the film plane. By tilting,
you can obtain clear focus of the entire subject plane when it is not parallel to
the film piano. Sea pages 78 to 80 for the example photographs using the tilt function.

1. Place tire camera on a tripod
wit unlock the tilt by turning the tilt lock-release knob. * While looking through
the viewfinder, tilt the lens by turning the tilt knob.

* Note that tilting the lens
also changes the viewfinder image. ** After the Ions is tilted to the desired amount,
lock the Ions by turning the tilt lock-release knob. • Once the lens is tilted, neither
the depth-of-fleld scale nor the distance scale on the lens barrel can be used. Shifting
and/or tilting the lens to a large degree can cause same vignetting but within approximately
1m (3.3 ft.) of the subject, in such case, no vignetting occurs.Revolving Capability (±90°)
This operation rotates the lens. By revolving the lens, the shift function can be
changed to operate vertically, and the tilt function can be changed to operate horizontally.
The lens can be revolved up to 90 degrees right or left.

1. Place the camera on a tripod
and slide the revolving lever to hold the lens. - Before rotating the lens, set the
shift and tilt to 0 by rotating the shift and tilt knob. 2. Rotate the lens to the
desired angle and take your finger off the revolving lever.

* Click stops are provided
in 30' steps to both right and left. If revolving is executed with the lens Shifted,
be careful not to pinch your fingers between the lens and grip of the camera body.
Shifting and/or tilting the lens to a large degree can cause some vignetting but
within approximately I m (3.3 ft.) of the subject, no vignetting occurs. Note:on
the shift and tilt lock-release knobs The lens does not look completely by turning
the shift and tilt lock-release knobs. This is not a malfunction, Turning the shift
and tilt lock-release knobs too tightly to lack the lens or forcibly shifting/tilting
the lens when it is locked can damage ft.

Aperture Control This lense operates
via a preset aperture method. With this method, you must first set the aperture value
via the aperture ring. Then, just prior to shooting, you must stop down the lens
to the preset aperture using the aperture stop-down button. With this lens, the maximum
aperture can be switched to a selected aperture via Mechanical push-button operation.
The selected aperture is then held until the button is pushed again.

Note that even at maximum aperture,
the preset aperture value is displayed on the camera body.

Maximum apertureStop-down aperture

Focusing 1. Set the shift and tilt amount to
0 by rotating the shift and tilt knobs. 2. If the aperture is set to stop-down aperture,
set the aperture to its maximum by pressing the aperture stop-down button. 3. Focus
by rotating the focusing ring

Camera's in-focus indicator does
not appear properly in the viewfinder when manual focus with electronic rangefinder
is performed while shifting or tilting. Focus using the focusing screen's clear matte
field. However, when shifting or tilting is not performed, focus can be confirmed
using the in-focus indicator . When you shift or tilt after focus is achieved, refocus
using the focusing Screen's clear matte field. To confirm the depth of field at set
aperture, refer to the depth of field scale on the lens barrel However, when shooting
at close distance, correct depth of field cannot be attained from the depth of field
scale.

When the lens is tilted, neither
the depth of field scale nor the distance scale can be used. (Both scales can be
used when the lens is shifted only).

The aperture value displayed
in the LCD panel or viewfinder of the camera may differ from the aperture value set
with the lens aperture ring when the focusing ring is rotated. In this case. the
aperture value displayed in the LCD panel or viewfinder is the effective aperture.

Determining exposure (using
the camera's built-in exposure meter) 1. Set the camera's exposure mode to M
(manual). - Set the shift and tilt amount to 0 by rotating the shift and tilt knobs.
2. Press the aperture stop-down button to Set the aperture to Its maximum value.
Set the aperture ring to the maximum value f//2.8) as well, and set the shutter speed
for correct exposure. When the aperture ring is set to a value other than the maximum
(f/2.8), or the lens is shifted or tilted, correct exposure metering and flash exposure
metering cannot be conducted. 3. Set the desired aperture by rotating the aperture
ring and shift the shutter speed by the same number of steps. 4. Tilt and/or shift
the lens, press the aperture stop-down button to stop-down aperture, and then press
the shutter release button.

Note: When the lens is shifted
and tilted to its maximum value, exposure compensation of approximately +1 step is
required. Determining correct exposure with shift and tilt use requires experience.
We recommend that you take a series of test shots until you feet comfortable with
the operation.

Set the aperture with the lens
aperture ring even with a camera that you set aperture with using the command dial.
With a camera body with custom setting menu of "aperture setting with lens aperture
ring", you do not need to set the option. If the exposure mode is set other
then M, incorrect display may appear in the LCD panel and viewfinder.

Determining exposure (with
an external exposure meter): 1. Set the camera's exposure mode to M (manual).
2. Tilt or shift the lens. 3. Set the aperture ring to the desired aperture and read
the aperture value displayed in the camera's LCD panel. Then, input the aperture
value to the external exposure Meter to determine exposure and press the shutter
release button.

Note: When the lens is
shifted and tilted to its maximum value, exposure compensation of approximately -1
step is required. Stop-down aperture when shooting. Determining correct exposure
with shift and tilt use requires experience. We recommend that you take a series
of test shots until you feel comfortable with the operation. When you are using a
camera that does not have an LCD panel, read the aperture value on the aperture ring,
set the value to the external exposure meter, and then determine shutter speed considering
the effective aperture. The effective aperture becomes approximately 1 step darker
at closest focusing distance.

Lens Care When the lens is not in use, set the tilt and shift amount to "0"
since it has many moving parts, and can thus be easily soiled by dust or dirt. Clean
the lens surface with a blower brush. To remove dirt and smudges, use a soft, clean
cotton cloth or a lens tissue moistened with ethane (alcohol) or lens cleaner. Wipe
in a circular motion from the center to outer edge, taking care not to leave smears
or to touch other parts of the lens. If you use ether in cleaning the lens, smudges
can sometimes appear on the surface of the lens. If this happens. wipe it again with
a cotton cloth moistened with alcohol. Never use thinner or benzene to clean the
lens.

* To protect the lens
surface from dirt or damage, we recommend using an NC filter at all times. The lens
hood also helps to protect the lens. * Keep the lens cap in place whenever the lens
is not in use. * If you will not use the lens for a long time, protect it from rust
and mold by storing it in a cool, dry place. Also, do not store in direct sunlight,
and keep it away from naphthalene or camphor. * Be careful not to get the lens wet
or drop it in water. If water gets on the lens, this may cause it to malfunction.

Lens construction: 6 elements
in 5 groupsPicture angle: Diagonal: 28°
30', Vertical: 16°, Horizontal; 23°50'Maximum reproductionratio: 1:2 (at 0.39m)<<<--- Credit: Nikon publicly published the MTF graphs,
a way to show their confidence in the design of this superlative micro-zoom. The
original images for the MTF can be accessed from Nikon Japan website by clicking
here - if they
are still available (2005).

Distance scale: Graduated
in meters and feet from 0.39m (1.3 ft) to infinity (OO)Distance information: Output into camera bodyAperture scale: 1/2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22, 32 and 45Aperture method: Preset apertureLens movement: shift and tilt movement at right angles (the two operations
can be modified for a surcharge, to move in the same (parallel) direction)

Credit: MCLau®, who has helped to rewrite
some of the content appeared this site. Chuck Hester® who has been helping
me all along with the development of all these Nikon websites;LarsHolst Hansen, 'Hawkeye'
who shares the same passion I have; Ms Rissa, Sales manager
from Nikon Corporation Malaysia for granting permission to use some of the official
content; TedWengelaar,Holland
who
has helped to provide many useful input relating to older Nikkor lenses; Some of the references
on production serial numbers used in this site were extracted from Roland Vink's website; HiuraShinsaku from Nikomat
Club Japan. Lastly,
to all the good people who has contributed their own expeience, resources or kind
enough granted permission to use their images of their respective optic in this site.
It is also a site to remember a long
lost friend
on the Net.Note:certain content and
images appeared in this site were either scanned from official marketing leaflets
& brochures published by Nikon and/or contribution from surfers who claimed originality
of their work for educational purposes. The creator of the site will not be responsible
for may discrepancies arise from such dispute except rectifying them after verification."Nikon", "Nikkormat", "Nippon Kokagu
KK"
& "Nikkor" are registered
tradename of Nikon Corporation Inc., Japan. Site made with an Apple IMac.